Journal of SMKTC

Gong Xi Fa Cai !

Chinese New Year is just around the corner, and just like every year before this, our school had a New Year Celebration.

Filled with New Year spirit, the school was very lively as all teachers had their all-red attire on. Right before the celebration, students are told to enter the hall, as usual a space in the middle of the hall is allocated for the teachers to walk. As soon as the clock strikes 11, teachers gathered up in front of the hall and entered the hall with the accompaniment of the Lion, an icon of Chinese New Year. And the drums and cymbals definitely lightens up the mood that day, everyone clapped their hands with all their might.

After the teachers took their seats, our dear principle gave her speech and was then followed by Mr.Fuam Chin Keong. Their speeches are all centered around wishing all the students to have a happy holiday, to take care, but not neglect our studies.

Afterward, the speeches was followed up by the ‘Che Ling’(Diabolo) performance. Then the lion dance performance by the Wushu group, where the lion was to grab the mandarin oranges hanged from the ceiling. After that, the lions distributed oranges to the teachers and also non-Chinese students, to show that this event is celebrated not only by Chinese’s. Meanwhile, 5s1’s students led by Wei Shan and Chin Yung sang new year songs and danced around with their god of prosperity statue. Finally, all these ended with all of us singing Negaraku and a deafening shout, “Gong Xi Fa Cai!”.

On the whole, that day was truly a day to remember and a good start for Chinese New Year.
Once again, Happy Chinese New Year !

Hi,

I would like to announce that SMK Taman Connaught can now be found on Facebook! To all Connaughtians, ex-Connaughtian, teachers, or staff members, feel free to join our page on Facebook.

The Facebook page was created and opened last Thursday. Now, we have over 100 fans who had joined us. Latest news, announcements, pictures and also videos will be constantly uploaded.

Once again, feel free to join SMKTC’s Facebook Page.

It was a hot Saturday and the gleaming sun shone like a sparkling diamond. Every student from class 4S1 to S3, 3A to D and 5S1 were anxiously waiting for the calligraphy competition to commence. All were ready with their brushes, inks and newspapers. The competition took place in the spacious hall. It was organized by the Chinese Language society to introduce our Chinese culture to the Omani as well as to pre-celebrate the Chinese New Year Festival, which is this Sunday 14th February.

Precisely at 10.30 am, after the Omani had enjoyed playing the traditional games of batu seremban and congkak, they adjourned to the hall to watch the calligraphy competition in action. Many teachers were there too including our respectable principal, Puan.Radiah. Participating students were not daunted to put their brushes to the red papers in the presence of teachers and the Omani. Instead, they skillfully and creatively crafted out a lot of Chinese characters. The Chinese characters looked strong, catchy and elegant which impressed the Omani. Eager to unleash their inherent talents, the Omani joined in to dabble in this great Chinese art. So did our principal.

All in all, everybody enjoyed the calligraphy session

6 February 2010, Saturday. A history making event was held in our school. It wasn’t one, but two history making events. A normal Saturday morning ended up being the most interesting day for many students in this school. Those who made the effort to attend on that Saturday witness for themselves how Connaughtians united as one and displayed togetherness. Omani students visited our school on a formal visited to learn about us and our culture. That visit itself made big news in our school. However, the second event made it an even more historical day for everyone. At 10am, students were mostly gathered at the school hall to paint chinese caligraphy. It was hosted by the Chinese Language Society of SMK Taman Connaught. All were assigned with a few chinese characters to paint as it was a competition. Many took part with high spirits although some have never painted chinese caligraphy before.

It was at 12pm that things got interesting. It was earlier planned that all participants hang their ‘artwork’ or caligraphy along the corridors of our school. Block A which consist of three floors and the badminton field was chosen as the site. With the instructions of Chinese  Language Society members and prefects, all students stood side by side and hanged their beautiful artwork along the corridor for everyone to see. It was an amazing sight as the bright red colours was very bold and strong in any persons eye. A photography session was also organised and a group of students proudly displayed words showing SMKTC TERUS CEMERLANG along the badminton court. Shouts and cheers were heard everywhere and everyone was all pumped up and excited. Endlessly, one cheer after another was shouted by all Connaughtians! So loud were the shouts that everyone felt proud and happy being able to take part in such an event.

This amazing day continued when the principal gave a rousing announcemet with new year wishes. Followed by wishes and a thank you by Puan Yeap as the organiser of the event. Memories were created on that day that will last for a life time. It will remain as a special day for all students and the excitement it had generated will be in the hearts of all students. As you look at the photos, think of the moment and remember what will school be like if we worked together. Seach for yourself and remember that you were part of our schools’ HISTORY!!

SMK Taman Connaught Terus Cemerlang!

On the day 6 Feb, 2009 SMKTC was visited by a group of students and teachers from Qurum Private School, Oman. Which consists of 21 students and 2 teachers.

“The welcoming was very nice, we enjoyed it!”

The school was busying preparing for the welcoming ceremony of the arrival of the students, prefects were doing their best cleaning up the school, and students were rehearsing for their perfomance. And for a moment or so, an ice truck came in and stirred up the students. Soon, Mr. John gave the green light, the prefects stood still, and there came the first sight of the bus. One by one, the Omani students came out, wearing grey t-shirt, with a name tag over their collar, a country flag and school badge over the chest. As they approached the school gate, drums roared, they lined up and was escorted by the principle and teachers. They were welcomed with a cheerful dance of the lion and students over the block clapped their hands like there was no tomorrow. In brief, they were surprised by the warm welcome from us, Connaughtians.

What do you think about our school? How about the facilities over here?

“Your school is very big, very beautiful, the facilities are excellent here.”

Soon, they we’re guided to our library for a slideshow presentation on our school and some introduction on the clothings of the 3 main races in Malaysia. After that, they went to our Cyberlab 3 for a quick tour and then the teacher’s room and the counseling room. One of the Omani teachers exclaimed, “You have a nice place for teachers, nice, very nice.” Later on, they walked across the canteen and students welcomed them with greetings, it really showed our hospitality for foreigners. Afterward, they had a glimpse of how we incorporate computers in our education with a visit to the Cyberlab 1.

“I really liked the Chinese Orchestra.”

“Talented.”

They walked to the school hall for a performance from the Chinese Orchestra group. There was a short introduction on the instruments being performed like the cello, yangqin, erhu, zhongruan, etc. right before the performance. Generally speaking, they we’re stunned with the first piece being performed, they stood up and clapped their hands, one Omani student even showed a thumb-up sign. After the 2nd piece, Mr.John gave them a chance to go up to the stage and have a closer look of the Chinese instruments. They even tried their hands on the musical instruments. Once that was done, they ventured off to the side of the hall for an exhibition of the traditional games like Congkak and Batu Seremban. Similarly, they also participated in the games and after a conversation with the teachers, we also know that they had similar traditional games involving marbles over there too. When that was over, they’re invited to see the performance  by the 扯铃 or Diabolo group, a version or variation from yo-yo but with 2 sticks and a hourglass shaped object. It is a exhibition of different skills and techniques. The Omani students played around with the diabolo and had fun, some even showed hidden talents. Soon after that, they’re once again embraced by the lion dance performed by the Wushu club. Likewise, they had a hands-on experience with the drums, cymbals, gong and the lion costume and simple introduction on the origins of this tradition.

“The games are fun, very fun and interesting.”

“Awesome school.”

In the meantime, Connaughtians was gathering in the hall for the calligraphy contest. The Omani students walked into the hall and was once again taken aback by all the students writing with brushes and black ink. They were briefed with explanation and the meaning of what is being written down. Some even wrote nice Chinese letters with the calligraphy pen though it was their first time. Afterward, they sat down in front of the stage and took group photos, with the principle, teachers, prefects, and those involved in the welcoming of the Omani. It was a very awesome sight to be seen. They then walked around school, with gifts like mandarin oranges and other stuffs.

And when they are leaving, students all over block A and B gave their farewell, conducted by Mr.John himself.

We wish you had a great time here.

“Yes, thank you. We had a great time here.”

Random quotes and facts

“Your principle is a very person, very kind.”

“We liked the ABC (Ais Kacang).”

“Malaysia is a very nice country.”

“Your school is very welcoming.”

“It’s really unexpected. When you see from the outside, you’ll never expect something like this.”

“I really liked the performance.”

Some facts

- They got to know us, partly because of our school’s webpage and also from the travel agency.

- This is not their first time coming to Malaysia.

- It is holiday season over there (Oman) and this is a educational trip.

- They’re heading to 1 Utama after the visit. For rock climbing.